Dynein-dynactin complex is essential for dendritic restriction of TM1-containing Drosophila Dscam.
BACKGROUND
Many membrane proteins, including Drosophila Dscam, are enriched in dendrites or axons within neurons. However, little is known about how the differential distribution is established and maintained.


RESULTS
Here we investigated the mechanisms underlying the dendritic targeting of Dscam[TM1]. Through forward genetic mosaic screens and by silencing specific genes via targeted RNAi, we found that several genes, encoding various components of the dynein-dynactin complex, are required for restricting Dscam[TM1] to the mushroom body dendrites. In contrast, compromising dynein/dynactin function did not affect dendritic targeting of two other dendritic markers, Nod and Rdl. Tracing newly synthesized Dscam[TM1] further revealed that compromising dynein/dynactin function did not affect the initial dendritic targeting of Dscam[TM1], but disrupted the maintenance of its restriction to dendrites.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest multiple mechanisms of dendritic protein targeting. Notably, dynein-dynactin plays a role in excluding dendritic Dscam, but not Rdl, from axons by retrograde transport.
Yang
Jacob Shun-Jen
JS
Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
Bai
Jia-Min
JM
Lee
Tzumin
T
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D003712:Dendrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000072159:Dynactin Complex; D004398:Dyneins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009030:Mosaicism; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000502:physiology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011485:Protein Binding; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000235:genetics
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C491736:Dscam1 protein, Drosophila; D000072159:Dynactin Complex; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D004398:Dyneins